Unraveling the molecular architecture of autoimmune thyroid diseases at spatial resolution

Martinez-Hernandez R; la Blanca N Sanchez de; Sacristan-Gomez P; Serrano-Somavilla A; Nova JL Munoz De; F Sanchez Cabo; eyn H; Sampedro-Nunez M; arazuela M

doi:10.1530/ey.22.3.3

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ESPE Yearbook of Paediatric Endocrinology (2025) 22 3.3 | DOI: 10.1530/ey.22.3.3

ESPEYB25 3. Thyroid Basic Science (2 abstracts)

3.3. Unraveling the molecular architecture of autoimmune thyroid diseases at spatial resolution

Martínez-Hernández R , Sánchez de la Blanca N , Sacristán-Gómez P , Serrano-Somavilla A , Muñoz De Nova JL , Sánchez Cabo F , Heyn H , Sampedro-Núñez M & Marazuela M

Nat Commun. 2024 Jul 13;15(1):5895. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-50192-5. PMID: 39003267

Brief Summary: This translational studyapplied spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA sequencing to thyroid tissue from 3 Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) patients, 3 Graves’ disease (GD) patients, and 2 controls. They identified shared features, including antigen-presenting thyrocytes with upregulated CD74 and MIF, as well as disease-specific stromal signatures: ADIRF⁺ myofibroblasts and PLVAP⁺ endothelial cells in GD, and inflammatory fibroblasts in HT. These epithelial and stromal subtypes may contribute to the pathogenesis and heterogeneity of autoimmune thyroid diseases.

This study provides spatial and cellular analyses of thyroid tissue architecture in autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD), showing how thyrocytes, immune cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells interact in situ. By distinguishing disease-specific stromal and epithelial signatures in Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and Graves’ disease (GD), it advances our understanding of AITD heterogeneity and pathogenesis. These novel insights may support the development of targeted diagnostics and therapies, particularly relevant to individualized approaches in pediatric and early-onset autoimmune thyroid conditions.